Job Title: Contract Manager, Construction – Ghana
Industry: Construction & Infrastructure
Location: Accra, Ghana
Salary: Competitive Salary + Other Benefits
Job Overview
Our client, an established construction company operating in Ghana, is seeking an experienced and commercially astute Contract Manager to oversee contractual administration, risk management, claims, negotiations and compliance across its construction projects.
The successful candidate will play a critical role in safeguarding the company's contractual and commercial interests throughout the project lifecycle, from tender preparation and contract negotiation through project execution, final accounts and close-out.
Reporting to the Technical Office Manager, the Contract Manager will work closely with project delivery teams, quantity surveyors, procurement professionals and senior management to ensure contractual obligations are fulfilled, commercial risks are effectively managed and contractual entitlements are protected.
Key Responsibilities
1. Contract Management & Administration
- Review, interpret and administer construction contracts, subcontracts and supply agreements.
- Ensure compliance with contractual terms, obligations, notice requirements and statutory regulations.
- Prepare and maintain contract summaries, registers, correspondence records and contractual documentation.
- Review contractual correspondence, instructions, notices and early warnings.
- Provide contractual guidance to project managers, site teams and commercial personnel.
2. Tendering & Pre-Contract Support
- Review tender documents, specifications and conditions of contract to identify commercial and contractual risks.
- Support tender preparation through contractual clarifications, qualifications and risk assessments.
- Advise estimating and technical teams on contractual provisions that may affect pricing and project delivery.
- Participate in contract negotiations with clients, consultants and subcontractors.
3. Variations, Claims & Extensions of Time
- Identify, document and manage contractual variations and changes in project scope.
- Prepare and coordinate claims for additional costs, delays, disruption, prolongation and acceleration.
- Manage extension-of-time submissions supported by project schedules and contemporaneous records.
- Collaborate with quantity surveyors and project managers to prepare substantiated claims and valuations.
- Monitor contractual deadlines to prevent the loss of entitlements.
- Assess and mitigate exposure to liquidated damages.
4. Subcontract & Supplier Management
- Draft, review and negotiate subcontract and supply agreements.
- Ensure subcontract terms align with the obligations of the main construction contract.
- Monitor subcontractor compliance with contractual requirements, insurance and performance securities.
- Manage subcontractor variations, claims, back-charges and contractual correspondence.
- Support procurement teams in contractual negotiations and risk assessments.
5. Contractual Risk & Dispute Resolution
- Identify and assess contractual risks throughout the project lifecycle.
- Maintain contractual risk registers and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
- Support dispute avoidance through timely contractual interventions and negotiations.
- Prepare documentation for mediation, adjudication, arbitration or other dispute-resolution processes.
- Coordinate with legal advisers and external claims consultants where necessary.
- Protect the company's contractual position in matters involving payment delays, defaults, suspension or termination.
6. Project Close-Out & Final Accounts
- Support the preparation, negotiation and settlement of final accounts.
- Monitor defects-notification periods, retention releases, guarantees and contractual securities.
- Ensure contractual close-out documentation, completion certificates and warranties are properly maintained.
- Capture lessons learned and recommend improvements to contract management procedures.
7. Reporting & Stakeholder Management
- Prepare regular management reports covering variations, claims, extensions of time, contractual risks and disputes.
- Maintain accurate, complete and auditable contractual records.
- Collaborate with project managers, technical teams, finance, procurement and external stakeholders.
- Provide guidance and training to project teams on contractual obligations, documentation and compliance.
- Escalate significant contractual risks and commercial exposures to senior management.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Law or a related discipline.
- Minimum of 10 years' experience in construction contracts and commercial management, including at least 5 years in a contract management role.
- Demonstrable experience administering construction contracts on building and infrastructure projects.
- Strong working knowledge of FIDIC contracts, including the Red, Yellow and Silver Books.
- Experience with Ghana Government standard conditions of contract.
- Proven experience preparing and negotiating variations, claims and extensions of time.
- Sound understanding of construction contract law, procurement regulations and dispute-resolution procedures.
- Strong contractual drafting, negotiation, analytical and commercial skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft 365.
Desirable Qualifications & Experience
- Professional membership of GhIS, RICS, CIArb or GhIE.
- Postgraduate qualification in Construction Law, Contract Management or Dispute Resolution.
- FIDIC training or professional certification.
- Experience working with international construction contractors in West Africa.
- Experience managing contracts involving public-sector clients.
- Familiarity with Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project.
- Knowledge of Ghana's Public Procurement Act and Alternative Dispute Resolution Act, 2010 (Act 798).
Key Competencies
- Strong commercial awareness and contractual judgement.
- Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management and dispute-resolution capabilities.
- Ability to identify contractual risks and opportunities proactively.
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines.
- Confidence in preparing evidence-based contractual submissions.
- High professional integrity, confidentiality and accountability.
- Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary project teams.
- Sound decision-making and problem-solving capabilities under pressure.
What Our Client Offers
- Competitive Salary + Other Benefits.
- Opportunity to contribute to significant construction and infrastructure projects in Ghana.
- A challenging role with substantial contractual and commercial responsibility.
- Collaboration with experienced technical, operational and commercial professionals.
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are invited to submit their updated CV through the application link provided.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Antal International is managing this recruitment assignment on behalf of its client.
All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality.